Thursday, June 09, 2016

On Passion.

My passion for many years was agility. The training, the trialing, the feeling of running with my dog, the frustration of bad timing, or sloppy training. The exhilaration of a clean run, or a nearly clean run. All of it. The lows and the Highs. I loved it.

I went to regionals, Nationals, and as many trials as I could get to. I trained every spare moment I had. It was my focus, my passion.

Somewhere along the way my passion started dwindling. I don't know exactly when. Having to retire wicca was a big part of that, and just a year later having pixel injured as well... I started worrying about hurting my dogs and enjoyed the game less and less. For a while I didn't even have a dog to play the game with... Some big life changes around the same time and all of a sudden agility didn't seem so important anymore.

I started herding around that time and very quickly that became my new passion. First Brit, because she couldn't play agility (she has back issues), and then Leo. I get goosebumps still sometimes when I watch my dog figure out something on his own, or when everything is just so. It is a game like no other that I've done. When I am out in a field just me, my dog and sheep I feel At home. As I consider the purchase of another dog, I know I'm in deep... ;)

But just because agility isn't my passion anymore doesn't mean that I havent missed it. The people, the sport itself, being active with my dogs. I've been working hard to get back into the game. I won't lie, it's been a struggle. Building back my own confidence took the most amount of time. Last year a friend and I started a new agility based business and while I haven't trialed much (one, maybe two trials in two years?) Im getting closer to being ready. I'm making time for it, training at home and at our field. It's fun. I've always love the training and the problem solving part.

Leo likes the game a lot. He is a good dog. He may never have the brain stamina for a whole trial but that's okay. I may not have enough for a whole trial either. ;) Siren has started training and is a little pistol. She is sassy and quick and very eager. They are a motivating pair- the enthusiasm they have is contagious!

I will never be competitive like I was. I don't have the drive to be the best, or to push to be the best. I have no desire for the world team, or nationals. I've finally found the fun in training, now I need to be brave enough to enter and go to a trial. And still keep the fun and connection with my dogs. I'm excited to have finally got to this point.

I'm an overthinker, and a procrastinator. So this has been a long time coming. My plan is to enter a few fall trials to get my feet wet, and go from there.

I'm lucky to have great friends who encourage and push just enough to motivate me. And so lucky to have such good dogs who are happy to work with me no matter the sport. ;)

Pages

wicca

Wicca

Wicca was retired from dog sports when she was 8 years old. Always reckless, and crazy fast; Her body could not keep up anymore. Instead she is enjoying life as just a bossy little dog who rules the house, the yard, and pretty much anything of value.

Wicca is wild, intense, fast, driven, and a little on the crazy side. I love it all. She is everything I wanted in a dog and I couldn't be happier with her. She is my first Cardigan Welsh Corgi, and is NINE years old this year. We compete in Agility, Obedience, and Rally. We also play with sheep, and scenthurdle racing. She is a great little dog with tremendous heart and loves to be working. Wicca is the dog I always dreamed of. Mushy, I know. But True.

v

Vito

Vito is 8 years old and is a complete marshmallow. He is a Border Collie/Corgi cross that I adopted as a pup. He is the laziest of my dogs and would be content to lay around all day. He plays around on the agility field but is not a serious agility at all. Vito is a great house dog though and loves to snuggle. Despite his lack of...er...energy, he is a great little dog that I adore!

He has a few random agility Q's.

DOB: November 24, 2006

Boone RN AADC AGDC

Boone is an 11 year old Pyrenean Shepherd.....I got him in November of '07 and it has been quite the experience so far! He is very different and had some pretty major temperament problems to overcome. He has improved so much from when I first got him but will always have a few extra little quirks. :) Boone is a very silly little guy- he has a great sense of humour and really enjoys being with me. He loves to play and loves to learn new things. He has loads of enthusiasm, now we just need the focus!

Boone is retired from dogsports. Instead he is enjoying life as just a dog. ;)

pixel

Pixel came from Cornerstone Cardigans in Florida. She had a very long flight to get all the way to cold Canada. :)

She is a smart cookie, and is very much the thinker in the family. She has been a fun dog to train and trial. She is a happy dog who likes to do just about anything- obedience sure, agility sure, play fetch sure! She has been a fantastic addition to my household and I just adore her. Thank you So Much to Rita for letting me have her! Here is a link to her Sire, and her Dam.